In a significant health update for Nashville, the Metro Public Health Department has announced what appears to be the city’s first measles case since 2005. This revelation comes as the department, on Friday, issued a statement indicating that thorough investigations are underway to trace the origin of the infection and to identify any individuals who may have been in contact with the patient.

The individual in question had not received a vaccination against measles and had recently traveled, according to details shared by MPHD. Dr. Joanna Shaw-Kaikai, the department’s Chief Medical Officer, noted that the symptoms became apparent only after the person’s return to Tennessee.

Fortunately, the patient is currently recuperating, and Dr. Shaw-Kaikai has assured the public that there is no cause for alarm or any immediate threat to community health.

The department’s Vaccine Preventable Disease team is well-prepared to manage this situation. They have been trained specifically to track and assess contacts of confirmed measles cases. Furthermore, the team is equipped to offer testing and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for those who might require it, along with providing clear guidance on isolation and quarantine protocols.

In light of this case, the MPHD is urging residents who have not yet been vaccinated to consider receiving the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Walk-ins are welcome until 2:30 p.m., and appointments for vaccination can be scheduled at specified local clinics.

• East Nashville Public Health Center, 1015 East Trinity Lane, (615) 862-7916
• Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Avenue, (615) 340-5607
• Woodbine Public Health Center, 224 Oriel Avenue, (615) 862-7940

“Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, and the vaccine is highly effective. If people are having symptoms or are concerned that they might have been in contact with someone who has measles, reach out to a healthcare provider and receive further instructions,” Shaw-Kaikai told Nexstar’s News 2. “The vaccine is available in the community, and we also have it available in the health department.”

According to the CDC, measles causes fever, a cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes followed by a rash covering the body. It can also cause seizures, ear infections, pneumonia and diarrhea. In some cases, measles can cause brain damage and can even be deadly.

This year, the CDC has reported more than 1,600 cases of measles across the U.S. and 93% of those patients were not fully vaccinated. The CDC has also reported that two doses of the MMR vaccine are roughly 95% effective at preventing measles, and one dose is roughly 93%.